Does Ocracoke Make A Great Destination for Family Beach Vacations?
February 14th, 2010 at 13:20“The Andy Griffith Show” was a 1960′s television show featured Andy, a sheriff in the small town of “Mayberry”. The show revolved around Andy, his friends and family, and the great fun times that they all had together. While “Mayberry” is a totally fictional town, did you know that there is a place that reminds us of it? This place hastens back to a time when life was much simpler, people were kinder to each other, and everyone seemed to know your name. The place? Ocracoke, North Carolina…located in the Outer Banks. It’s not only a great place for your family beach vacations, it’s a place that will move you in ways you won’t even realize. Read on to find out more…
North Carolina is a very modern state, so why is Ocracoke able to maintain this ode to “Days Gone By”? One reason could be that Ocracoke is a bit harder to get to. There is no direct road, no tunnel, no bridge… To get to Ocracoke you need to have either a private boat, or a private plane, or go via one of the public ferries that visit the island on a daily basis.
Even if you hate shopping on the mainland, we think you will like it in Ocracoke. The shops are all small and quaint, and just browsing in them will bring back thoughts of “Mayberry”. If you need to buy groceries there are only two main variety stores. They do have a post office to mail letters and postcards back to the mainland. One shop is dedicated to “just kites”, a wonderful way to pass time on the island. The tree-lined roadway that covers the shops in the main shopping area is another feature that we just love.
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One of the main tourist attractions at Ocracoke is it’s historic lighthouse. Built by Noah Porter, a builder from Massachusetts, in 1832, it is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina (and the second oldest in the US). It is 75 feet tall, with a diameter ranging from 25 feet at the base to 12 feet at the top. You can see the light from the top of this lighthouse 14 miles out to sea. A US Park Ranger is on duty in the summer, and while they are there, you can enter the base of the lighthouse. No climbing of the lighthouse is ever permitted.
In conclusion, what do we think of Ocracoke? We absolutely love it…love it. Even if you don’t enjoy going to the beach, this is the perfect place for your next family beach vacation, or family beach vacations… If you often think back to “days of old” when life was simpler and more carefree…definitely check out Ocracoke. Beware…you may leave your heart there…. 
Want to find out more about Ocracoke, then visit Charles Vaughn’s site on Creative Family Beach Vacations.
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